Rivian revs up for Australia: New trademarks point to four-model attack on everything from the Toyota HiLux to the Mazda CX-5

US EV up-and-comer Rivian is seemingly preparing a full-scale assault on Australia's ute and SUV market, with six new trademarks being registered for new models.

Rivian – maker of the very cool R1T truck and R1S SUV – has already confirmed its launch plans for Australia, but is yet to lock in timings, with delays having already thrown its USA debut backwards.

But when it does arrive Down Under, it will seemingly do so with more than two models, with the brand trademarking the names R3S, R4S, R5S, R3T, R4T and R5T. The brand already holds trademark for the R1V, R2X, R1S, R1T and R1X.

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In Rivian speak, the 'T' stands for truck, and the 'S' for SUV, which means the brand is planning for three new trucks, and three matching SUVs, in the same way that the R1T and R1S feed off each other.

The new trademarks appeared with the Australian Trademark Office on August 17, and tie in with Rivian CEO R.J. Scaringe's plan to launch six new models by 2025.

The brand’s launch date in Australia is still a question mark, with Rivian having told CarsGuide a launch Down Under would occur around 18 months after the vehicles’ US debut, before the domestic delays set in.

"Yes we will have an Australian launch. And I can’t wait to come back to Australia and show this to all of those beautiful people," the brand’s chief engineer, Brian Gase, told CarsGuide.

Still, Rivian is making some bold promises about its R1T, promising it can “do anything another vehicle can do, and then some.”

"We have really focused on the off-road capability of these vehicles. We have 14-inches of dynamic ground clearance, we have a structural underbody, we have all-time all-wheel drive so we can go up 45-degree inlines, and we can accelerate from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 3.0 seconds," Gase said.

"I can tow 10,000 pounds (4.5 tonnes). I’ve got a tent that I can throw onto the back of the truck, I’ve got 400 miles (643km) of range, I’ve got all-time all-wheel drive so I can do anything another vehicle can do, and then some."

In the USA, the R1T starts from just US$67,500 for its new entry-level model – but there’s a catch.

While the more expensive Launch Edition of the Tesla Cybertruck rival has begun arriving in the USA now, priced at US$75,000, the cheaper Explore model won’t be touching down until January 2022.

The Explore model will still get Rivian's quad-motor drivetrain (with an electric motor at each wheel), and the brand is promising a range in excess of 300 miles, or 482kms. You’ll also get a black interior treatment with heated (vegan) leather seats.

In the grunt department, we'd expect 300kW and 560Nm for the cheaper model - enough to propel the monster truck to around 97km/h in just 4.9 seconds - a decrease from the more powerful 522kW/1120Nm outputs of the more expensive models.

The range then steps up to the Adventure, which adds an off-road pack that includes an underbody shield, tow hooks and an on-board air compressor, as well as a better stereo, nicer woodgrain interior elements and a ventilation function for the seats. The Adventure is priced at US$75,000, or $106,760 in Australian dollars. Deliveries are expected to begin in January 2022.

Finally, the Launch Edition is the same price as the Adventure, and is similarly equipped, but adds Launch Edition interior badging, a unique green paint option, and a choice of 20-inch All-Terrain or 22-inch sport alloys wheels.